Yorkton This Week
In Yorkton Provincial Court on Sept.19, a youth charged in the murder of Colin Focht has plead not guilty.
The seventeen-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, has elected a trial with judge alone in Court of Queen’s Bench. His preliminary inquiry is set for Jan. 7-8, 2020. The Crown intends on pursuing an adult sentence in the case.
He has also plead guilty to other, unrelated charges, including having a weapon intended for committing an offence and aggravated assault, as well as breaching conditions.
Focht, 25, went missing on Aug. 31, 2018. His remains were discovered on April 4, 2019, and four individuals were subsequently charged in connection to the case.
BACKGROUND: Following are the news stories connected to this crime as published by Yorkton This Week, from most recent to earliest.
Accused in Focht murder appear before courts
APRIL 17, 2019
The four accused in the murder of Colin Focht all appeared before the courts on April 17.
The two youth accused in the crime both appeared before Yorkton Provincial Court. Their return dates are April 29 and May 6. They cannot be named due to being under 18 at the time of the alleged offence. One of the youth is charged with second degree murder, while the second, who is currently 18, is charged with accessory after the fact of murder.
Jordon Ironstand also appeared in Yorkton Provincial Court. His next appearance will be on May 1. He is also charged with second degree murder.
Those three were already in custody on unrelated charges.
Taiya Hudy appeared before Court of Queen’s Bench for a show cause hearing on charges of second degree murder. She was released on $1,000 bail under strict conditions. Her next appearance is in Yorkton Provincial Court on May 14.
More charges laid in Focht murder
APRIL 15, 2019
Three more people have been charged in the death of Colin Focht.
Jordan Ironstand, 23, and a young offender who cannot be named, have both been charged with second degree murder. A third man, who is 18 but cannot be named due to being a young offender at the time, was charged with accessory after the fact of murder.
All three were in court on April 15 on unrelated charges. Taiya Hudy, the first person charged in the case, will next appear in court on April 17.
The recovered remains were also confirmed to be those of Focht, said the RCMP in a release, with a preliminary forensic autopsy conducted by Dr. Ernie Walker on April 5. A complete forensic autopsy will be conducted this week.
Charges laid in connection to Yorkton homicide (Updated)
APRIL 12, 2019
Charges have been laid in connection to the death of a missing Yorkton man.
Colin Focht, 25, went missing on Aug. 31, 2018. On April 4, 2019, human remains believed to be Focht, were discovered in a rural area outside of Yorkton. A forensic autopsy still needs to be conducted to confirm their identity. It is currently believed that the man was killed on Sept. 1, 2018.
Taiya Alice Hudy, aged 19, was arrested and charged with second degree murder in relation to the case on April 3. She made her first appearance in Yorkton Provincial Court on April 5, and her case was adjourned until April 12.
The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE: In Yorkton Provincial Court on April 12, Hudy was remanded in custody until April 17, where she will appear at Court of Queen's Bench in Yorkton. A bail verification report was also ordered.
No leads on missing Yorkton man
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
Yorkton RCMP are continuing their search for a local man who’s been missing for over two weeks.
Colin Robert Focht (25) was last seen on Sept. 1 near the 100 block of Bradbrooke Drive. Friends and family members have been unable to contact him.
The RCMP have yet to find any leads on his whereabouts. They’ve monitored banking information and social media accounts in an attempt to find Focht’s “digital footprint,” but these efforts have been unsuccessful so far.
Focht is diabetic and there is concern he is not in possession of his medication.
Focht was last seen wearing a white sweater and blue jeans. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Yorkton RCMP at 306-786-2400 or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Yorkton man missing
SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
Yorkton RCMP are searching for a 25-year-old who’s been missing for four days.
Colin Robert Focht was last seen on the morning of Sept. 1. He sent a text message later that day; since then, no one has heard from him.
RCMP have investigated the places Focht typically frequents, but they have yet to find him.
Focht was last seen on the 100 block of Bradbrooke Drive. He was wearing blue jeans and a white sweater.
Anyone with any information on Focht is encouraged to contact Yorkton RCMP at 306-786-2400, or to contact Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
